Commuters react to reports of additional highway shootings

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LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. -- Drivers in Lee's Summit, Mo., reacted after 20 reported shootings were reported on Kansas City roads and highways within the last month.

Michelle Kraxberger stays busy as a single mother of a five, a businesswoman and president of her son’s elementary school PTA. She said the shootings are worrisome.

“Completely shakes me up," she said. "Again, knowing that my own safety is one situation, but as a mom, my kids’ safety. That is a thousand-times more important.”

She’s concerned that someone is putting other people’s safety in jeopardy. Her daughter called her Wednesday morning to make sure Kraxberger knew about the latest shooting.

“I had no idea that it was actually 470 and I drive that quite frequently,” Kraxberger said.

The Lee’s Summit woman changed her driving plans.

“Instead of taking the Wornall Road exit to get to where I needed to today, I took the State Line exit,” she said.

Ryan Klien hasn’t changed one thing about his daily driving route. He manages Garozzo’s Italian Restaurant off 291 and takes the same route every day. Klein said the restaurant celebrated its 25th anniversary Monday and the shooting scare “hasn’t really affected us. We’re still doing business, we’ve still been busy.”

“I drive going underneath to 291, going past the overpass where there was the shooting a few weeks back," he said. "I drive that coming here and I also take that when I drive my daughter to school.”

Klein takes the shootings seriously but doesn’t see the need for sensationalism.

“If it’s my time, it’s my time," he said. "I mean, I can easily just get in a car accident or someone shoot me going a different route.”

So while Klein’s plans are the same, Kraxberger mapped out a different route to dinner Wednesday night.

“It’s out in that same area and we probably will go out to 150 and go that direction instead of taking 470,” he said.

FOX 4 spoke with Sergeant Collin Stolsberg with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He explained MSHP has increased patrols throughout the city and will continue to work with KCPD on the investigation. He also made clear, drivers shouldn’t be paranoid. He advises drivers to stay prepared and aware. He also advised you call police if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Police are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons involved. If you can help, call the TIPS Hotline at 816.474.TIPS (8477).